Actor
Caroll Spinney
- Born: 26 December 1933, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
- Estimated net worth: $2 million
Caroll Spinney was a beloved puppeteer and actor known for his iconic roles as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street. With a career spanning over four decades, he became a cultural icon, recognized for his distinctive voice and engaging performances…
Caroll Spinney: best films and shows
About Caroll Spinney
Caroll Spinney was a beloved puppeteer and actor known for his iconic roles as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street. With a career spanning over four decades, he became a cultural icon, recognized for his distinctive voice and engaging performances. His work left a lasting impact on children's television and earned him numerous accolades for his contributions to the genre.
- Born
- 26 December 1933, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
- Height
- 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
- Spouses
- Deborah Spinney (1970-2019)
- Children
- 2 children, including a daughter named Jennifer Spinney
- Parents
- Robert Spinney, Ethel Spinney
- Estimated net worth
- $2 million
Fun facts about Caroll Spinney
- Caroll Spinney performed Big Bird for nearly 50 years, making him one of the longest-serving puppeteers in television history.
- He was also the original performer of Oscar the Grouch, bringing the character's grumpy personality to life.
Famous Caroll Spinney quotes
“I love you, you love me.”
“Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith.”
“It's a sunny day, sweepin' the clouds away.”
Caroll Spinney filmography
Cast (118)
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Jerry Nelson: A Celebratory Birthday Animatic Movie | Big Bird (voice) / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | |
| 2021 | Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street Movie | Self | 7.4 |
| 2019 | Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration Movie | Self / Big Bird | 9.3 |
| 2019 | Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting Movie | Big Bird / Various Characters | 5.5 |
| 2018 | Mister Rogers: It's You I Like Movie | Self | 7.8 |
| 2016 | Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.6 |
| 2015 | In Their Own Words: Jim Henson Movie | Self - Muppet Performer | 7.0 |
| 2015 | Sesame Street: Play All Day with Elmo! Movie | Big Bird/Oscar | |
| 2015 | I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch / Self | 7.4 |
| 2013 | Drew: The Man Behind the Poster Movie | Self | 7.0 |
Show 108 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sesame Street: Elmo's Magic Numbers Movie | Big Bird | |
| 2012 | Sesame Street: Singing with the Stars Movie | Big Bird (voice) | |
| 2011 | Michael Bublé: A Michael Bublé Christmas Movie | Oscar the Grouch | 6.5 |
| 2011 | Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey Movie | Self | 7.2 |
| 2011 | Portlandia TV | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.9 |
| 2011 | Sesame Street: Wild Words and Outdoor Adventures Movie | Big Bird | |
| 2010 | Sesame Street: The Best Pet in the World Movie | Big Bird | |
| 2009 | Jim Henson: His Sesame Street Story Movie | Unknown character | 2.0 |
| 2009 | Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends: The Letter Quest and Other Magical Tales Movie | Big Bird | |
| 2009 | Sesame Street: Elmo's World: All About Faces Movie | Oscar The Grouch (voice) | 6.0 |
| 2009 | Sesame Street: Bedtime with Elmo Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.0 |
| 2009 | Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.2 |
| 2009 | Sesame Street: Being Green Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | |
| 2008 | Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 1 (1969-1974) Movie | Big Bird | |
| 2008 | Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 2 (1974-1979) Movie | Big Bird | |
| 2008 | Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 3 (1979-1984) Movie | Big Bird | |
| 2008 | Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland Movie | Oscar the Grouch as the Grouch of Hearts (voice) | |
| 2008 | Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Summer Vacation Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.0 |
| 2008 | One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure Movie | Big Bird | |
| 2007 | Elmo's Christmas Countdown Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.2 |
| 2007 | Sesame Street: Elmo's World: What Makes You Happy? Movie | Big Bird | 7.0 |
| 2006 | A Sesame Street Christmas Carol Movie | Oscar the Grouch / Big Bird (voice) | 6.7 |
| 2006 | 1 vs. 100 TV | Oscar the Grouch | 5.7 |
| 2005 | The Colbert Report TV | Big Bird (uncredited) | 7.0 |
| 2005 | Sesame Street: Big Bird Sings! Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 10.0 |
| 2004 | Sesame Street: A Celebration of Me, Grover Movie | Big Bird / Oscar (voice) | |
| 2004 | Sesame Street: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On! Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 7.6 |
| 2004 | Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song? Movie | Big Bird / Oscar | |
| 2004 | Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites Movie | Big Bird (voice) | |
| 2003 | Sesame Street: Sesame Sings Karaoke Movie | Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch | 0.5 |
| 2003 | Sesame Street: Kid's Guide to Life: Big Bird Gets Lost Movie | Big Bird / Oscar (voice) | 6.0 |
| 2002 | Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Happy Holidays! Movie | Unknown character | 7.3 |
| 2002 | Sesame Street: Elmo Visits the Firehouse Movie | Oscar The Grouch (voice) | 10.0 |
| 2002 | Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Word Play Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) (archive footage) | 8.2 |
| 2001 | Sesame Street: Kids' Favorite Songs 2 Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 4.0 |
| 2001 | Scrubs TV | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 8.2 |
| 2001 | Sesame Street: Elmo's Musical Adventure: The Story of Peter and the Wolf Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 7.0 |
| 2000 | Sesame Street: Let's Make Music Movie | Big Bird / Oscar | 6.0 |
| 2000 | Sesame Street: Elmo's World Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch ("Music" segment) | 8.0 |
| 1999 | The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.2 |
| 1999 | The West Wing TV | Big Bird (voice) | 8.3 |
| 1999 | The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland: Sing and Play Movie | Big Bird/Oscar the Grouch (archive footage) | 9.0 |
| 1999 | Sesame Street: Kids' Favorite Songs Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 5.0 |
| 1999 | Sesame Unpaved TV | Unknown character | |
| 1999 | CinderElmo Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 6.3 |
| 1998 | Sesame Street: Elmopalooza! Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.1 |
| 1997 | Sesame Street: Fiesta! Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 5.7 |
| 1997 | Sesame Street: Quiet Time Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.0 |
| 1997 | Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Sillier at the Movies Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 10.0 |
| 1997 | Sesame Street: Get Up and Dance Movie | Big Bird / Oscar (voice) | 10.0 |
| 1996 | Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 6.0 |
| 1996 | Sesame Street: Do the Alphabet Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 6.0 |
| 1996 | Sesame Street: Kid's Guide to Life: Learning to Share Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch | |
| 1996 | Sesame Street: Imagine That! Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | |
| 1996 | Sesame Street: Elmocize Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 8.0 |
| 1994 | The World of Jim Henson Movie | Self / Big Bird (archive footage) | 7.4 |
| 1994 | Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 7.0 |
| 1993 | Sesame Street Stays Up Late! Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 7.0 |
| 1993 | Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 7.0 |
| 1993 | Sesame Street: 25 Wonderful Years: A Musical Celebration! Movie | Big Bird and Oscar | 7.3 |
| 1993 | Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Movie | Dog in Pound (uncredited) | 7.0 |
| 1992 | Getting Ready to Read Movie | Big Bird / Oscar (voice) | |
| 1991 | Sesame Street: Sing, Hoot & Howl with the Sesame Street Animals Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 3.0 |
| 1990 | The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 6.8 |
| 1990 | Jim Henson's Memorial Service Movie | Unknown character | 10.0 |
| 1990 | Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly! Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.0 |
| 1990 | Sesame Street: Monster Hits! Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.0 |
| 1989 | Sesame Street: 20 Years & Still Counting! 1969-1989 Movie | Self - Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch | 7.2 |
| 1988 | Wow, You're A Cartoonist! Movie | Picklepuss / Pop | 10.0 |
| 1988 | Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch / Bruno the Trashman (voice) | 6.8 |
| 1988 | Big Bird in Japan Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 9.1 |
| 1987 | A Muppet Family Christmas Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.9 |
| 1987 | Sesame Street: Big Bird's Story Time Movie | Big Bird | |
| 1987 | Sesame Street: Sing Along Movie | Big Bird and Oscar | 6.0 |
| 1986 | Sesame Street: Learning About Letters Movie | Big Bird/Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 7.0 |
| 1986 | The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.1 |
| 1986 | Sesame Street: Learning About Numbers Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 10.0 |
| 1986 | Sesame Street: Sleepytime Songs & Stories Movie | Big Bird (voice) | |
| 1985 | Follow That Bird Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch / Bruno the Trashman (voice) | 6.5 |
| 1985 | Night of 100 Stars II Movie | Big Bird | 6.8 |
| 1984 | Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets Movie | Self | 6.9 |
| 1983 | Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.6 |
| 1983 | Big Bird in China Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.0 |
| 1981 | The Great Muppet Caper Movie | Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.9 |
| 1979 | Bob Hope on the Road to China Movie | Self - Big Bird (voice) | |
| 1979 | The Muppet Movie Movie | Big Bird (voice) | 7.2 |
| 1979 | Presenting Susan Anton TV | Unknown character | 10.0 |
| 1979 | A Walking Tour of Sesame Street Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | |
| 1978 | A Special Sesame Street Christmas Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 6.7 |
| 1978 | Christmas Eve on Sesame Street Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 7.6 |
| 1978 | NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney Movie | Big Bird | 7.0 |
| 1976 | Bob Hope's World of Comedy Movie | Self | |
| 1976 | The Muppet Show TV | Big Bird | 8.0 |
| 1975 | Sesame Street- Do you know where Ernie lives? Movie | Self | |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live TV | Self - Cameo (uncredited) | 6.9 |
| 1974 | Out to Lunch Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 8.0 |
| 1973 | Julie on Sesame Street Movie | Big Bird/ Oscar the Grouch (voice) | 7.3 |
| 1969 | Sesame Street TV | Bennett Snerf | 7.1 |
| 1969 | Sesame Street TV | Sam the Robot | 7.1 |
| 1969 | Sesame Street TV | Cookie Monster | 7.1 |
| 1969 | Sesame Street TV | Oscar the Grouch | 7.1 |
| 1969 | Sesame Street TV | Big Bird | 7.1 |
| 1969 | This Way to Sesame Street Movie | Big Bird | |
| 1969 | Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten TV | Self | |
| 1968 | The Dick Cavett Show TV | Self - Guest | 6.8 |
| TBA | Sesame Street: Big Bird's Favorite Party Games Movie | Big Bird | |
| TBA | Sesame Street 1986 Wrap Party Movie | Big Bird / Oscar the Grouch | 9.0 |
| TBA | Sesame Street: Ernie's Little Lie Movie | Big Bird |
Crew (1)
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Big Bird in China Movie | Story · Writing | 6.0 |
Latest releases
- Jerry Nelson: A Celebratory Birthday Animatic2022
- Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street2021 / TMDB 7.4
- Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration2019 / TMDB 9.3
- Mister Rogers: It's You I Like2018 / TMDB 7.8
- Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas2016 / TMDB 6.6
- In Their Own Words: Jim Henson2015 / TMDB 7.0
Questions about Caroll Spinney
What are Caroll Spinney's most famous roles?
Caroll Spinney is best known for his roles as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street, where he brought these beloved characters to life.
Did Caroll Spinney win any awards?
Yes, Spinney received several awards, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on Sesame Street, recognizing his contributions to children's television.
What was Caroll Spinney's first film?
Caroll Spinney's first film role was in the television series Sesame Street, which premiered in 1969 and featured his iconic performances.
What was Caroll Spinney's net worth?
Caroll Spinney's estimated net worth was around $2 million, reflecting his successful career in puppetry and television.
How long did Caroll Spinney perform as Big Bird?
Caroll Spinney performed as Big Bird for nearly 50 years, becoming a cherished figure in children's entertainment.
What other characters did Caroll Spinney voice?
In addition to Big Bird, Caroll Spinney voiced Oscar the Grouch, showcasing his versatility as a puppeteer and voice actor.
When did Caroll Spinney retire?
Caroll Spinney officially retired in 2018, passing on the roles of Big Bird and Oscar to new performers after decades of iconic performances.
What was Caroll Spinney's impact on children's television?
Caroll Spinney had a profound impact on children's television, using his characters to teach important life lessons and entertain generations of viewers.